make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

Gailey,
Thanks for your good wishes...will try and go through your posts soon and give you a propper reply...

It's a carry on, the house is cold already but having warm clothes on helps. I don't really have a reason to go out but sometimes a bit of fresh air helps, even if you end up walking around the shops...again and should not spend any more.

Its typical BH weather outside dull, cold, windy and wet...BG have estimated my last bill and it's higher than I think it should be seeing I have hardly had the CH or water heater on...so I'll get that sorted out...

The gas is cheaper than the electric but I use the electric more. First Utility is cheaper slightly on the price per unit and on the standing charges too so I might have been better switching, their fixed tariff runs until Decemeber 2013(NPower who I have decided to go with only runs until October 2013)But I can always change in the future and I'll try not to make a hash up of it next time.

Don't know what you do when wages and benefits stay static, incomes reduce or stay static and rents utility bills, food, CT and BT, petro and travel costs increase. Interesting times ahead for all the wrong reasons...

meme30

Kitcat:- Sorry you are in so much pain at the moment, and yes, practice nurses do get on your wick sometimes. It's awful when the pain killers don't do their job, and it sounds as though there is not much chance of you resting today either.
When you said it was recommended that both your boys did not return to school, who was it who said that? They cannot be left in school limbo, did this person have any useful suggestions?

LavenderBees

Popperwell wrote: »

The gas is cheaper than the electric but I use the electric more. First Utility is cheaper slightly on the price per unit and on the standing charges too so I might have been better switching, their fixed tariff runs until Decemeber 2013(NPower who I have decided to go with only runs until October 2013)But I can always change in the future and I'll try not to make a hash up of it next time.

Don't know what you do when wages and benefits stay static, incomes reduce or stay static and rents utility bills, food, CT and BT, petro and travel costs increase. Interesting times ahead for all the wrong reasons...

Stop spending?

I'm reluctant to take up time on this thread when you have two others on the go about your elec provider(s), but just wanted to say that MacMan was someone who, along with a few others, helped explain Broadband companies, technical terminology, and generally helped me get confident enough to get a good deal with BT. I'd say he's genuinely trying to help you, though his style of writing is rather clipped .

I'd suggest that you try to not panic, take note of what the MSE folk are trying to tell you and make a few phone calls on Tuesday to cancel all these extra contracts you seem to have landed yourself with.

In the meantime, also read up on Quidco and Topcashback (basically, for cetain suppliers, they offer you money back, which you can factor into your choice), and IF THAT SUPPLIER is the best for you, then you go through Quidco or Topcashback to seal the deal. But only if they are the best supplier for you, without the quidco offer.

Never ever believe a salesperson will sort out your paperwork for you

kidcat

meme - thanks, it was CAMHS, I have letters for both saying its is their professional opinion that Ds13 should not return to school as schol wont provide a support package or allow him to do GCSEs and that school is damaging DS8 mental health.
ALot will hinge on situation as DS8 school and if the teacher returns, if she does then I will not send him back to her at all.
So we have to wait for school to go back and give their response, we are expecting DS14 not to return ever as school have indicated they do not intend to offer any support as he is a low achiever.

Its then a case of waiting on the LEA to make offers in response, it could all take a while is my assumption as authorities are not quick.

Oh says that at work they are complaining that wholesale prices have risen substantially on the base ingredients, I assume it will hit us very soon. They are desperately trying to renegotiate their contracts to increase prices to their customers which will trickle through into price increases at supermarkets.

kidcat

Lavender excellent advice and a timely reminder that we should all try to use Topcashback or Quidco wherever possible. I have had alot of cashback over the past few years that way on stuff I was buying anyway.

D&DD

Kidcat my DS3 was out of school for only a couple of weeks in the end before he was found an emergency placement,sadly sometimes it takes things coming to a head like this before they will actually do something
Hope you get things sorted for both of them even if that means homeschooling XX

Popperwell

LavenderBees wrote: »

Stop spending?

I'm reluctant to take up time on this thread when you have two others on the go about your elec provider(s), but just wanted to say that MacMan was someone who, along with a few others, helped explain Broadband companies, technical terminology, and generally helped me get confident enough to get a good deal with BT. I'd say he's genuinely trying to help you, though his style of writing is rather clipped .

I'd suggest that you try to not panic, take note of what the MSE folk are trying to tell you and make a few phone calls on Tuesday to cancel all these extra contracts you seem to have landed yourself with.

In the meantime, also read up on Quidco and Topcashback (basically, for cetain suppliers, they offer you money back, which you can factor into your choice), and IF THAT SUPPLIER is the best for you, then you go through Quidco or Topcashback to seal the deal. But only if they are the best supplier for you, without the quidco offer.

Never ever believe a salesperson will sort out your paperwork for you

I have been helped and First Utility though the cheapest and though BG promised a lot verbally I am on standard Tariff which is not so good. I cancelled FU easily may look at them some time in the future again though the present offer could disappear. They'll probably do another of some kind.

NPower is the original company I had signed to and if I am careful I don't think that there is much difference between the unit price of the gas and electric...The standing charge is slightly more expensive with NPower but I think it evens out.

If I get the BG contract cancelled I'll try and leave things as they are until it comes up for renewal again. I thanked those trying to help me including Macman.

Popperwell

What a Bank Holiday there is some kin show held every year on our town around this time of year, I gave up going to it years ago but as usual the weather has turned nasty so the place will probably be a mudbath by tomorrow...

SpikyHedgehog

gailey wrote: »

prepared at home-That sounds like awful day.

Argos is getting worse we have large extra on retail park near us they take ages, service rubbish and every time new book comes out things seem to go up-plus never buy a sofa from argos ours is dire and falling apart again.
They must spend fortune just printing the books.

kidcat hope you better soon.

Mrs cd many of my freinds and family live all over uk now.
so fb seems best way keeping in touch
some evenlive abroad.

My family like to see pics of kids.
I can assure you i dont post my every move on there or do it daily.
I find it quite intrusive and hate teh stalker app that tells people where you were at that moment in time.

But one thing I have noticed is stupid amounts of bragging.

nearly everyone I know even the poor ones claiming they have no money for their childs uniform have i pads-that one made me cross.

school report time-out of say 100people every child had great school report and is agenuis I mean please!

But the worst is birthdays and xmas -far worse than holiday pics.
As there seems to be a trend for taking photos of huge unopened pressies night befere childs birthday to show how much they brought.

Some its obscene amounts dont know how many manage it..
kids dont need that much.

latly one person asked how much do you spend on each child for xmas to which everyone tried to outdo each other.

its just not me. 1lady photographs all her childs new expensive clothes.
people do stages picsand do try to show they live the perfect life of course its just a snap shot.

Im still hacking away today
kids up early
hubbys left forwork already as hes working again most of the day to which I would be understanding if he dident come home and moan we have no food or not much has been done.

he was in strop as he gave me 20yesterday and its gone went round corner shop just brought essentials

cereal
eggs
bread
milk
got kids cheap 29p carton drink and cheap 17p milkybar

I did buy some craft and stationary as

eldest needs it for school
i needed some stuff to do my new wall planner and meal planners.

I think its the assumption I do a rubbish shop and he does god one drives me mad.

the other day he cameback with mostly crap and he brough coco pops when i said rice krispies or weetabix as I dont like coco pops they crap.

So the fruit bowls near empty
theres no cereal i liked
no crisps

He seems to be unable to comprehend how hard food budgets been this summer.

dd 6 half never stops eating.
her nearly 3year old sisters sees her eat and wants the same
we get through 4-6pints milk a day
sometimes a loaf of bread a day in toast, sandwiches.
fruit seems to last very little time.
The value yogurts dont last long

or the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrot sticks.

we buy value biscuits whih I try and ration and hide.

hubby keeps buying something frozen with oven chips which is ok once a in a while but im sick of it!

I dont think its is that cheap and feel like done so many bad meals latly as out of basics.

hubby broke my fave large saucepan the one nothing sticks too and hasent replaced it as promised. my mum broke my dish rack so been missing that and the baby managed to break my cheapo casserole dish.

we out of basics

stock cubes
gravy
herbs
peppper
havent been butchers in 2months
keep looking for reduced but not seen any of that either.

really need to do very good storecupboard shop and start proper cooking again like we used to.

its nightmare shopping with kids so been doing some stuff online.

hes going lidls after work and claims he can do good job but get frustrated as he always comes back with very few meals.
when things run out hes like how could this be.
its only day 2 after payday and feel like hes bitter about doing a food shop.

where as i have 3kids at home its raining, I dont drive and am poorly.

Hoping it will get better in september although will have packed lunches to sort.

To top off my weekend a lovley letter from agent informing me its been 3months since my last inspection and they visiting on wed during half term oh fab so hubbys like try and do some tidying today!

The hoover broke yesterday have to try and fix that somehow.
the washings never ending.

Hubbys still not fixed washing line as promised.

feel like im trying to do things with nothing.
does he think im flipping super woman.

ahh rant over.

hoping hamsters ok and just looks worse than it looks.

eldest going over freinds house today so downsizing to 2kids.

will try and get what I can done.

hope everyone else ok.

I see a glimmer of sun.

was suppost to go see family mon but cancelled that as feel poorly and extra expense.

feel like its been a hard frugal summer.
hoping autumm might make me feel cheerier as love halloween, bonfire night and xmas and hopefully be busy like a litle elf over next few months making stuff.

Gailey, most of my boys' craft stuff has been gifts to them, from bits in the Xmas stockings to MIL getting DS2 a huge bag of craft stuff she'd assembled to go with the craft book she got him or DS1's watercolour set. If people ask you what they want, I'd recommended suggesting craft stuff. You'll probably find you have enough to hide unopened packs till the cry goes up 'Muuuuuummm! I'm bored!' ;-)

kidcat wrote: »

Its just hit me that school starts again in 10 days and I have done nothing about it at all, am in limbo over boys as both have been recommended to not go back, but should I buy uniform or not?
DD6 needs school shoes and skirts which is not bad, but both boys would also need shoes, Ds14 school have a full new uniform so he would need a full set, and DS8 has outgrown all of his and again needs everything.

Will have to take DD6 for her shoes on Tuesday and pick up her skirts over weekend. But with the boys am really not sure what to do.

DD6 has a party today which I am not looking forward to, but at least she will get to see some of her school friends.

I wouldn't get the boys any school stuff. If the LA come up with a good suggestion, you'll have time to get uniform while checking out the options, or they can go into school in non-uniform stuff if that works better.

If you're homeschooling, would the boys be up to a trip to the shops with you when the girls are in school to get some resources?

gailey wrote: »

hi guys think it could be the bedding maybe as think we changed it recently.

Kidcat you not alone.

Hoping eldest shoes will fit until october half term as all the shoe shops at mall during holidays are hell.

going to take all 3to brantano as can walk there and get them measured.
then maybe hunt on ebay as even brand new cheaper.
baby has quite a few from carboot sale in devon brought him 4pairs thinking he grow into them but girls mostly likly need new.

mam brought them vests,pants and socks in primark.

i brought few school dresses for eldest on ebay and 1shirt.

need 1trousers
1skirt
new school bag as old one falling part
better lunchbox than last year.
new shirts-cheap
but jumpers cardies have to be official school and they 14quid each and she needs new school bag £5.

middle dd starts preschool and has sisters old tshirts just on hunt for 2 navy trousers and navy cardie as shes only doing 1half days.

they all have coats at least.-so thats big expense avoided,
want packamac for eldest as winter can be mad weather.

My biggest expense right now is educational support stuff like work booklets and textbooks. but getting them cheap /2nd hand.

i have found recipies for hm paints/playdough-thats saved a bit.

but its stationary like paper, pencils,glue. glitter , card thats the expensive part both my girls love making stuff .

I try keep back to school buying at a min we have washer and drier so for me 3days worth uniform enough think most go ott as feel pressured by retailers and everyone else think at primary it can be done on cheap.

well today toddler has vomitted on my bed so thats stripped.
,messed up lounge and weed on sofa -ahhhhhh!
eldest gone over freinds for day.
baby napping.

on 3rd load laundry estimate want to do 6loads today washing it not issue its the drying it.

want to deep clean and declutter kitchen again.
clean out fridge and freezer
clean bathroom

I fixed hoover-good as whole house needs a hoover
clean the glss patio doors and tv table
deep clean high chair and dining table.
try and get wee wee out of sofa and wash and dry all the cushions
clean the bathroom
change the bedding
declutter and tidy the girls room
sort mountain clean laundry in baby boys room and put away.

make a september calender hm planner
make a sept meal planner
alerady been on lidls website made comprehensive list and emailed to hubby in work whos shopping after work.

drinking posh coffee out of pot as run out of instant.
looking at huge pile washing up needs to be dome.
toddlers whinging shes bored.

hoping to bake choc sponge today too as have 3eggs and nothing I fancy to eat

Both my boys primary schools do expect you to wear the uniform colour clothes, and offer logo clothes, but as far as I know, cannot enforce the children having logo jumpers etc - could be worth checking the school prospectus?

DS1's secondary school did say ' must have' logo jumper & polo shirt :-(, but even that is worth talking to the school - a friends son starts secondary school this year & has various issues, including a phobia of buttons - the school have been very accommodating.

DS1 & I were at the scout hut this morning for another clear up, then we should have been at a church bbq this afternoon, but I couldn't find the tickets, so we didn't go. I've got a wedding reception tonight, & really can't be bothered with it - got to taxi there, pay for drinks, taxi back, & I could be home knitting & sorting out messy house... I will go as its 1 of the work girls &i went to the other one who got married on thursday, so feel I have to go. Ho hum, I can always pretend to be checking texts & spend my night on MSE on my phone!

homerdog

Thanks for the lovely welcome everyone....have been reading for ages a couldn't pluck up the courage to join!!
Thanks katieowl for the recipe, will give it a go in time for Christmas I think...DD2 lovely fudge, so it will do nicely as a stocking filler packaged in fancy bag with some ribbon.
Well..what an awful day, I couldn't believe the thunder and lightening this afternoon, am waiting for the rain to stop so I can get the washing in and respin it before putting it on the maiden.
Got busy this morning making exploding box for DD2s birthday next week, then DD1 (lisakay) arrived with her girlies and the crafting had to stop, lisa disappeared to the allotment with a couple of window frames I'd salvaged from the workmen at the school where I'm a cleaner, she's going to make cold frames...hopefully!!
Then this afternoon round to my friends for a knit and a natter, making little hooded jacket for DGS, just on the hood now.
Anyway, will make way for someone else now and make sure DS has turned everything off in his room before going round to his mates, that should save a fortune on leccy...